How Does Arthur Conan Doyle Create Tension And Suspense In The Speckled

How Does Arthur Conan Doyle Create Tension And Suspense In The Speckled Band The Speckled Band is just one of the murder mystery stories featuring the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes was not any ordinary detective, he was a detective who was famous for solving murders. In this case Holmes is trying to solve the mystery of the 'Speckled Band'. Some examples of tension building techniques are dramatic events and in some instances the inclusion of red herrings. Bad weather and night time are also used as a means of building up atmosphere and tension. The main setting is Dr Roylot's house in the middle of a wild, stormy night. This immediately creates a sense of uneasiness in the readers mind. In his description of the storm, Conan Doyle uses sounds to very good effect. He talks about the howling wind and the rain beating on the windows. This language has a double impact because the words `howling' and `beating' are onomatopoeic. In fact, all the way through the story, we see many examples of onomatopoeia. The feeling created is of watching a film with full sound effects. Conan Doyle's excellent skills in imagery are evident in his description of Julia on page 174. He uses vivid language, such as `state of agitation', `drawn and grey' and `restless, frightened eyes' to build up a terrifying picture of this woman in the reader's mind. However, no author can maintain tension levels at a height throughout the whole story. There need to be moments of calm - a lull in the storm, Conan Doyle achieves this contrast admirably in his description of the journey from Waterloo Station through the Surrey countryside. The language used here is soft and delicate creating a mood of calm and beauty. We see... ...e describes him by saying 'so tall his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway†¦deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high thin, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance of a fierce old bird of prey.' This first description of him gives us an impression that he is tall and somewhat eagle like. He is essential to help create suspense. Roylott is Helen and Julia Stoner's stepfather. He was a doctor and also had knowledge of exotic animals and owned a few too. '†¦ The doctor kept a cheetah and a baboon. We had no feeling of security until our doors were locked.' This shows he has a keen interest for animals. Roylott is violent and aggressive. Sherlock Holmes was also an important character in order to build up suspense. He was a detective and helped Helen Stoner to investigate the cause of her sister, Julia's death. He helped to create suspense.